Ponti Art Gallery is interested in buying and selling works
of art by this artist.
Michele Cascella Biography
Michele Cascella was an Italian artist born on September 7, 1892, in Ortona a Mare, in the province of Chieti, Italy. He was the second of seven children in a family deeply rooted in the artistic traditions of the Abruzzo region. His father, Basilio Cascella, was an accomplished artist who worked in painting, ceramics, and lithography, and played a significant role in Michele's early artistic development. From a young age, Michele was immersed in the world of art, initially making copies of drawings by renowned artists such as Botticelli and Leonardo da Vinci under his father's guidance.
Cascella's artistic journey began in earnest when, at the age of fifteen, he had the opportunity to exhibit his works in Milan, Turin, and the Druet gallery in Paris. These early exhibitions marked the start of a prolific career that would span nearly a century. Initially, his work was influenced by the symbolist movement, which sought to unite sensory experiences with spiritual ones, creating a refined painting style full of mythological and religious symbolic references. This phase of his work explored the border area between dream and reality, emphasizing the evocative power of color.
Throughout his career, Cascella's style evolved, but he remained primarily known for his impressionistic landscape paintings. He was particularly inspired by the landscapes of Abruzzi, as well as locations all over Italy, Portofino, Paris, London, New York, California, Mexico, Hawaii, and Tuscany. His subjects also included flowers, portraits, and still lifes. Cascella's technique encompassed a variety of mediums, including pastels, pencil and pen and ink drawings, oils, watercolors, ceramics, lithography, and textiles.
Cascella's work received significant recognition and accolades throughout his life. He exhibited regularly at the Venice Biennale from 1924 until 1942, and his works are owned by major museums in Italy and Europe, including the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, Galerie nationale du Jeu de Paume in Paris, and Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Moderna in Rome. In 1937, he won the gold medal at the Paris Exposition Universelle, and in the 1970s, he received gold medals of merit from the Comune of Milan and became an honorary citizen of Portofino. The city of Ortona dedicated the Pinacoteca Comunale to him in 1977, further cementing his legacy in the Italian art world.
Cascella's artistic contributions were not limited to his paintings. He also engaged in the cultural circles of Milan, where he befriended notable figures such as Clemente Rebora, Antonio Banfi, and the writer Sibilla Aleramo. Through these connections, he was introduced to influential artists and intellectuals of the time, including Filippo Tommaso Marinetti, Umberto Boccioni, and Margherita Sarfatti. This exposure to the avant-garde movements of the early 20th century undoubtedly influenced his artistic development.
Despite his success, Cascella remained a humble and dedicated artist throughout his life. He was known for his congenial and humane personality, as well as his tenacious work ethic. His artistic philosophy was deeply influenced by the works of Henri Rousseau, Pablo Picasso, Vincent Van Gogh, Maurice Utrillo, and Raoul Dufy, who he cited as having the greatest impact on his own work and the art world at large.
Michele Cascella passed away on August 31, 1989, in Milan at the age of 97. He left behind a rich legacy that continues to inspire and captivate art lovers around the world. His dedication to capturing the beauty and essence of his surroundings through his art has made him a celebrated figure in the history of Italian Impressionism and modern painting.
Michele Cascella Quotes and
Sales of Works
Ponti Art Gallery selects and deals with paintings by the
artist. Upon request, we provide free estimates and
evaluations, communicate prices, quotations, and current
market values.
If you are interested in BUYING or SELLING works by the
artist, contact us immediately.
If you wish to sell or receive an evaluation of the
works:
Send us a frontal photo of the painting, one of the back,
and one of the signature. Also, indicate the dimensions of
the work. Inform us about the purchase origin of the work
and any kind of available documentation (purchase
receipts, certificates of authenticity, publications). One
of our operators will respond to you on the same day. We
guarantee maximum confidentiality and extreme
professionalism.
If you wish to purchase works by the painter: Contact us
and let us know your request. We will inform you about the
available works. We also offer the possibility to
subscribe to our NEWSLETTER, through which you will be
informed at the beginning of each month about the latest
acquisitions of the art gallery.
You can send us pictures of the work: